Braun Series 3-340 vs Philips AquaTouch AT890

Last Updated on Monday, 19 December 2011 22:31 Monday, 19 December 2011 22:05

There's always a risk asking a wet shaver to try out electric razors. For one, he's already probably tried electric razors and thought they were crap. Secondly, maybe he likes standing at the sink in the morning shaving the old fashioned way, maybe it makes him feel old skool. Thirdly, how's he meant to shave when crap starts blowing up in 2012 if all he's got is an electric razor?

The issues didn't seem to phase Braun who wanted us to review their latest electric razor and even put it to the test against another heavyweight in the electric shaving world, Philips. Braun sent us their Braun Series 3-340. We put it up against the Philips Aqua Touch (890/20).

The boxes for each scream 'wet and dry' use. These are razors that are both fully waterproof, meaning you can use them in the shower. Which must be a positive for wives who will no longer have to put up with men shaving over their cereal. Instead, men can wash chest hair with one hand, shave with the other and relax as the steam from the shower gloriously open's their facial pores and resign blackheads to a thing of the past.

Philips immediately raised my ire by plastering a sticker on the box proclaiming the Aquatouch "protects better vs regular blades." The claim was made on the basis of 150 German blade consumers "after 21 days acclimatisation." Whilst I don't doubt the accuracy of these 150 real life, sausage eating, German blade consumers, I'm tired of companies (L'Oreal, take note) proclaiming the superiority of their products based on a miniscule sample size. We're quickly heading in a direction where some claim will be based on a survey of "2 users who received compensation. Users may or may not be real."

Philips AquaTouch AT890

In any case, the now obligatory hair trimmer is on each. Both have good, non-slip grips and the build quality of each is solid with no fiddly bits to mess around with. Both charge quickly and I haven't had to recharge either since I've started using them.

So far so good.

Of course, the biggest difference between the two is Braun's razor has rectangular cutting elements, Philips razor has circular cutting elements. Both razors have three heads, each able to move independently of the others. I have no doubt both companies have invested gazillions in each technology, with a football team of experts to hand to explain how their razor is better.

The big sell for both these razors is that they can be used with foams and gels. Which makes sense given that you could be using them in the shower anyway. Just apply the shaving foam or gel like you normally would, then allow the razors to work their magic. Both have easy to rinse heads on them to remove the lather from the razors afterwards. Both were equally as good on this score with very little difference between the two.

Rinsing the Philips AquaTouch AT890

But on the dry shave score, I'm going to award the win to Braun. Their razor left me with little razor burn. I'm no lab guy in a white coat, but I'm putting it down to their cutting element in the center of two foil blades. After hunting around a bit for what it does, it seems the middle blade cuts longer hairs thus allowing the two foil coated razor blades shave the remainder of the hair off. The Philips AquaTouch 890 just has three circular blades whirling away - although Philips advertises the Aquatouch as having a patented 'Super Lift and Cut System.' For me, Braun's Series 3-340 had a noticeable difference in shave quality, particularly on days where I hadn't shaved the day before. The Braun Series 3-340 consistently left my face feeling that much less plucked than the Philips.

Videos in archive:
Philips AquaTouch AT890 commercial
Braun Series 3-340 cutting technology

The Philips AquaTouch AT890/20 retails for about Stl. £65 (c. $100). The Braun Series 3-340 retails at Stl. £50 (c. $77.5) - both prices from Amazon. I don't see any reason to spend extra bucks on Philips Aquatouch. Although both shavers are great in the shower when combined with shaving gels or foams, for many men the point of an electric razor is that it's quicker and less hassle than wet shaving. On that score, Braun's Series 3-340 edges ahead as it doesn't leave my face feeling like a freshly plucked Christmas turkey.

On the 2012 end of world thing? I've decided shaving will be the least of my worries.